Alexander Zverev reflected on his 2020 US Open final loss against Dominic Thiem after reaching his second Grand Slam final at the 2024 French Open. The German blew a two-set lead to Thiem, who won the match 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(6) to win his lone Major.
Zverev defeated Casper Ruud 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in the semifinals to reach his maiden French Open final on his fourth Final 4 attempt. During the on-court interview, he was asked if his experience from his heartbreaking US Open 2020 final loss against Thiem would come in handy for the summit clash.
Zverev took a moment to remember how he lost the match after having a huge lead but admitted that he was not ready back then to win a Grand Slam and lacked the maturity. He explained how he was not getting younger now that he was 27 years old and needed to win a Major as soon as possible.
"Well, I was two sets to love up and a break up, and I was two points away from winning the match. But, I've said it before and I'm going to say it now again - I was not ready," Alexander Zverev.
"I was not ready to win my first Grand Slam title, I was not mature enough, I was maybe too much of a kid still. I didn't know what the occasion meant and that's why I lost. I'm 27 years old now, so definitely not a kid anymore, already getting older and you know, if not now then when?"
"It's been a long time but I'm still enjoying this game" - Alexander Zverev on his longevity
When told that he was the eldest semifinalist at this year's Roland Garros, Alexander Zverev admitted that he had been on the tour for a long time and was currently in his 11th year. Having said that, the World No. 4 said that he was still deeply in love with the game. He also expressed his desire to win his first Major at the French Open this year.
"Yeah, I mean look, I've been on the tour for, this is my 11th year now. So, it's been a long time but I'm still enjoying the game, I still love every single second on these kinds of beautiful courts and I'm still trying to improve and I'm in my first Roland Garros final and hopefully I can win my first Grand Slam."
Alexander Zverev will play Carlos Alcaraz in the final. The Spaniard ousted Jannik Sinner 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinals. The German has played Alcaraz nine times in his career and leads their head-to-head 5-4.